New Mexico Coop, Tribal Negotiations at Impasse
Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative has been unable to obtain help from members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation, who say the federal government has no jurisdiction in the conflict between the coop and Indian pueblos over easement payments. The coop says that the fees charged by the tribes are too high, and the costs then must be passed on to the coop’s customers. In April, the coop’s board passed a resolution urging Congress to intervene in the dispute by passing special legislation to either put a cap on fees, fines and penalties the tribes can impose for easements across tribal lands or make an appropriation to assist the coop in compensating the tribes. The coop has also asked its customers to contact members of the state’s congressional delegation to request their help. Meanwhile, some customers are protesting the coop’s rate increases. The Albuquerque Journal has more on this story.
